Two American Firms Cancel Orders for Goods from West Germany

February 15, 1965

NEW YORK (Feb. 14)

Two multi-million-dollar shirt manufacturers in New York announced this weekend that they have canceled orders with suppliers in West Germany in protest against the Bonn Government’s decision to halt arms shipments to Israel under pressure from Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser. The firms are the Phillips Van Heusen Corp, and Philip Rothenberg and Co.

Lawrence Phillips, executive vice-president of Philips–Van Heusen, said his firm, which does an annual business of $83,000,000 has canceled all outstanding orders for West German piece goods, finished goods and machinery. Harvey Rothenberg, president of the other firm, said his company has canceled orders it had placed with two West German firms for $50,000 worth of cotton flnnels, and is also “reviewing machinery commitments.” Both industrialists attributed their actions to the Bonn submission to Nasser “blackmail.” Mr. Rothenberg added that other leading American apparel makers “would begin to review their relations with West German suppliers.” “I already have indication,” he added, “that such action is under way.”